Tastemakers: Scovie‘s BLT - Starbucks Coffee Liqueur

May 18, 2005

Have you ever ord-ered a BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) and wondered if they forgot the bacon? No worries at Scovie’s Gourmet Deli in Charlevoix. The BLT comes with one pound of bacon and it isn’t that bacon from one of those one-stop food service trucks. At Scovies they use smoked bacon from Plath’s in Rogers City. Now Plath’s has been around for 90 years and their smoked meats are among the best in Northern Michigan, and the fact that Scovie’s recognizes this says something to their commitment to quality ingredients.
Bread is another important component to a great BLT and while the choices include whole wheat and sourdough, try the pumpernickel rye. It is fresh and flavorful with the rye accenting the sandwich perfectly.
Scovie’s is located on the main drag through town and is just south of the drawbridge. Arrive early for lunch so that you might get a seat near the window to enjoy the view of Lake Charlevoix. Certainly the sandwich is filling enough but consider saving half of it for later and ordering a slice of their famous homemade carrot cake with dried Northern Michigan cherries. Adding to your experience will be some of the best service one will find in Northern Michigan.


STARBUCKS COFFEE LIQUEUR
It only makes sense that the most famous name in coffee partners up with one of the great distillers of all time. That’s exactly what Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee and Jim Beam, the famous bourbon guys from Kentucky, have done. Coffee liqueurs have been around for a long time, most notably Kahlua. While Kahlua is great, Starbucks Coffee Liqueur has a much stronger coffee taste to it (Kahlua softens the coffee flavor with hints of vanilla), and if you are a fan of the dark, strong and rich full flavored coffee from Starbucks, then this is for you.
At 20% alcohol (40 proof) this sips very nicely over rocks or chilled straight up. Obviously it goes great in coffee topped with whip cream, but don’t overlook the Mochatini. Take 1 part Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, 1/2 part DeKuyper Dark Crème de Cacao and 1 part ABSOLUT VANILLA Vodka and pour over ice, shake and strain in a martini glass rimmed with sugar and chocolate and drop in a couple of cherries.
As for pairing with food, this has chocolate written all over it. Take your favorite chocolate fudge sauce, warm, pour over a scoop of Moomers Vanilla Ice Cream and a chocolate brownie and then pour the Starbucks over the top. Now, don’t look for this product at your local Starbucks Coffee Shop, as it has alcohol in it. Instead ask for it at your favorite watering hole and pick up a bottle at your local liquor shop.
- Rick Coates